Apparatus and methods for sealing a vascular puncture

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and methods for sealing a puncture through tissue includes an introducer sheath sized for introduction into a puncture, cartridge sized for insertion into the introducer carrying a sealant, and a locking element for coupling the introducer sheath to the cartridge. When the cartridge is advanced into the introducer sheath, the locking element couples the introducer sheath to the cartridge such that subsequent retraction of the cartridge causes the introducer sheath to retract, thereby deploying the sealant from the cartridge within the puncture beyond the introducer sheath.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 12/098,380, filed Apr. 4, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,029,533, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for sealing punctures in a body, and more particularly, to apparatus and methods for sealing a vascular puncture extending through tissue into a blood vessel, and to apparatus and methods for delivering a plug, sealant, and/or other material into a percutaneous puncture extending from a patient's skin to a blood vessel or other body lumen, e.g., to seal the puncture.

BACKGROUND

Apparatus and methods are known for accessing a patient's vasculature percutaneously, e.g., to perform a procedure within the vasculature, and for sealing the puncture that results after completing the procedure. For example, a hollow needle may be inserted through a patient's skin and overlying tissue into a blood vessel. A guide wire may be passed through the needle lumen into the blood vessel, whereupon the needle may be removed. An introducer sheath may then be advanced over the guide wire into the vessel, e.g., in conjunction with or subsequent to one or more dilators.

A catheter or other device may be advanced through the introducer sheath and over the guide wire into a position for performing a medical procedure. Thus, the introducer sheath may facilitate accessing and/or introducing various devices into the vessel, while minimizing trauma to the vessel wall and/or minimizing blood loss. Upon completing the procedure, the device(s) and introducer sheath may be removed, leaving a puncture extending between the skin and the vessel wall.

To seal the puncture, external pressure may be applied to the overlying tissue, e.g., manually and/or using sandbags, until hemostasis occurs. This procedure, however, may be time consuming and expensive, requiring as much as an hour of a medical professional's time. It is also uncomfortable for the patient, and may require the patient to remain immobilized in the operating room, catheter lab, or holding area. In addition, a risk of hematoma exists from bleeding before hemostasis occurs.

Various apparatus and methods have been suggested for sealing a percutaneous puncture instead of using external pressure. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,421 to Fowler discloses a plug that may be delivered into a puncture through tissue. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,192,302 and 5,222,974 issued to Kensey et al. describe a bioabsorbable collagen plug that may be delivered through an introducer sheath into a puncture site. The disclosed plug, however, may be difficult to position properly with respect to the vessel, which may be significant since it is generally undesirable to expose the collagen material within the bloodstream where it may float downstream and cause an embolism.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,605,294 describes rods, plugs, and crushed or irregularly shaped pieces of substantially dehydrated hydrogel that may be introduced into a lumen or void in a patient's body, e.g., to seal or plug a biopsy needle track, reinforce weak tissue, or deliver a therapeutic compound. In one embodiment, a plug of dehydrated hydrogel may be deployed into the site of an arteriotomy and allowed to hydrate in the presence of the tissue fluids and blood, to fill the tract of the catheter sheath and prevent further bleeding. By swelling to equilibrium hydration, the plug may lock itself firmly in place and thus reduce the risk of formation of a large hematoma at the site of the puncture.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,703,047 discloses dehydrated hydrogel precursor-based, tissue adherent compositions. The hydrogels may be used, for example, for sealing fluid leaks from tissue, as adherent drug delivery depots, and as means for augmenting and/or supporting tissue. The hydrogels may be administered directly to an open wound site or may be dispensed, e.g., using a non-adhesive backing material, an absorbable backing material, a syringe applicator, a powder atomization or aerosolization system, or a needle-less injector.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for sealing a puncture in a body, and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for providing temporary or permanent hemostasis within a vascular puncture extending into a blood vessel, and/or to apparatus and methods for delivering a sealant and/or other material into a percutaneous puncture extending from a patient's skin to a blood vessel or other body lumen.

In accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus is provided for sealing a puncture extending through tissue that includes an introducer sheath including a distal end sized to be introduced in a puncture, and a cartridge or other tubular member including a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into the introducer sheath, a lumen extending between the tubular member proximal and distal ends, and a distal opening in communication with the lumen. The apparatus includes a locking element for engaging a portion of the introducer sheath to the tubular member to couple subsequent movement of the introducer sheath to the tubular member, e.g., once the tubular member distal end enters the introducer sheath. A sealant may be disposed within the tubular member, e.g., within the lumen adjacent the distal opening, and a pusher member may be disposed within the lumen for deploying the sealant from the tubular member, e.g., out the distal opening into a puncture or other passage through tissue.

Optionally, the introducer sheath may include an abutment or other feature on its proximal end for engaging the locking element when the tubular member is advanced into the introducer sheath. Alternatively, the introducer sheath may include one or more seals on the proximal end and/or a hub on the proximal end that engage with the locking element when the tubular member is advanced into the introducer sheath.

In one embodiment, the locking element may include a coil carried by the tubular member. One or more windings of the coil may engage the introducer sheath, e.g., the abutment, seal(s), hub, or other features on the introducer sheath, when the tubular member is advanced into the introducer sheath, coupling subsequent movement of the introducer sheath to the tubular member. Such coupling may prevent the sealant from being prematurely deployed from the tubular member, e.g., within the introducer sheath, by coupling retraction of the introducer sheath and tubular member, as described further elsewhere herein.

In another embodiment, the locking element may include one or more prongs, fingers, or other detents that engage the abutment, seal(s), hub, or other features on the introducer sheath. The prongs may be compressed by the introducer sheath to a compressed position, but may expand to an expanded position when advanced distally beyond the abutment, seal(s), hub, or other features. Subsequent proximal movement of the tubular member causes the prongs to engage the features on the introducer sheath, thereby retracting the introducer sheath together with the tubular member, i.e., limiting subsequent proximal movement of the tubular member separate from the introducer sheath. Optionally, the prongs may be provided on a sleeve disposed over the tubular member or between the tubular member and the introducer sheath. For example, the sleeve may be free to “float” on a catheter or other elongate positioning member received through the tubular member and introducer sheath. At least a portion of the sleeve may have a diameter larger than a lumen of the introducer sheath, such that the distance the prongs are inserted into the introducer sheath is limited when the sleeve contacts the proximal end of the introducer sheath.

In another embodiment, the locking element may include an assembly with an expandable tube coupled to a locking hub through which the tubular member may be received. The assembly may be received in the lumen of the introducer sheath, e.g., such that the expandable tube is inserted at least partially into the hub or proximal end of the introducer sheath, e.g., distally beyond the abutment, seal(s), or other feature(s). Subsequently, when the tubular member is advanced through the expandable tube, the tube is directed to an expanded position, such that subsequent proximal retraction of the tubular member causes the expandable tube to engage the feature(s) on the introducer sheath. Thus, the introducer sheath becomes coupled to the tubular member, thereby limiting subsequent movement of the tubular member separate from the introducer sheath.

The diameter of the locking hub may be greater than that of the lumen of the introducer sheath, such that the locking hub limits advancing the expandable tube into the introducer sheath, e.g., when the locking hub contacts the proximal end of the introducer sheath. Optionally, the locking hub may receive one or more barbs, tabs, or other detents on the tubular member, e.g., on a handle portion of the tubular member for coupling the locking hub and expandable tube to the tubular member. When the locking hub receives the detent(s), the locking hub may prevent subsequent withdrawal of the detent(s), thereby coupling the introducer sheath to the tubular member via the locking element and/or preventing the sealant from being deployed from the tubular member into the introducer sheath.

In still another embodiment, the locking element may include a bellows or compressible sleeve, e.g., that may be disposed around the cartridge. When the cartridge is advanced into the introducer sheath, the bellows may at least partially enter the introducer sheath and become compressed and/or expanded to engage one or more features within the introducer sheath to couple subsequent movement of the introducer sheath to the cartridge. Optionally, the bellows may include a handle or other safety feature, e.g., on a proximal end of the bellows, that may be pulled to extend and/or collapse the bellows if it is desired to disengage the introducer sheath from the cartridge.

The sealant may include a variety of materials, such as dried or freeze-dried hydrogel material, which may hydrate and/or otherwise expand when exposed to an aqueous physiological environment. In exemplary embodiments, the sealant may include a plug or core, e.g., of freeze-dried hydrogel, and a coating on at least a portion of the core, e.g., including one or more precursors, which may remain in an unreactive state until exposed to an aqueous physiological environment, whereupon the precursor(s) may react, e.g., to form an adherent coating on the core. Optionally, an activating agent, e.g., a pH adjusting material, may be disposed on at least a portion of the core, the activating agent facilitating or initiating reaction of the first and second precursors when exposed to an aqueous physiological environment.

In accordance with another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for sealing a puncture extending through tissue and communicating with a body lumen that includes an introducer sheath including a proximal end, a distal end sized for introduction into a puncture or other passage through tissue, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a cartridge or other tubular member including a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into the introducer sheath, a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a locking element for coupling the introducer sheath to the tubular member. A sealant may be disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, e.g., adjacent the distal end, and a pusher member may be disposed within the tubular member lumen for deploying the sealant from the tubular member.

The pusher member and sealant may include a lumen extending therethrough, and the apparatus may include an elongate positioning member including a proximal end slidable through the sealant lumen and the pusher member lumen. The positioning member may include an expandable positioning element on a distal end thereof for preventing the positioning element from being removed from the body lumen into the puncture after being deployed within the body lumen and/or for sealing the body lumen from the puncture.

In accordance with still another embodiment, a method is provided for sealing a puncture extending through tissue to a body lumen. A positioning member may be introduced into the puncture through an introducer sheath until a positioning element thereon is exposed within the body lumen, the positioning element may be expanded, and the positioning member may be retracted until the expanded positioning element contacts a wall of the body lumen. A cartridge or other tubular member carrying a sealant is introduced through the introducer sheath and over the positioning member until the sealant is disposed proximate the positioning element.

When the tubular member is introduced into the introducer sheath, the introducer sheath is coupled to the tubular member. The tubular member is then retracted relative to the sealant to expose the sealant within the puncture, e.g., adjacent the body lumen. Because the introducer sheath is coupled to the tubular member, retraction of the tubular member automatically withdraws the introducer sheath from the puncture, thereby exposing the sealant within the puncture beyond the introducer sheath. Optionally, the sealant may be cinched or otherwise compressed within the puncture, e.g., using a pusher member also carried within the tubular member.

When the sealant is exposed to bodily fluid when the tubular member is retracted, the sealant may hydrate and/or expand to enhance sealing the puncture. The positioning element may be collapsed and the positioning member may be withdrawn from the body lumen and puncture, e.g., while the pusher member prevents substantial migration of the sealant. Finally, the pusher member may be removed, leaving the sealant within the puncture to achieve hemostasis.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for delivering a sealant into a puncture through tissue, including a cartridge carrying the sealant and a positioning member.

FIG. 1B is an exploded side view of a system for delivering a sealant into a puncture through tissue, including the apparatus of FIG. 1A and an introducer sheath.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views of the apparatus of FIGS. 1A and 1B, with the cartridge in proximal and distal positions, respectively.

FIGS. 3A-3D are side views of the system of FIG. 1B, showing a first embodiment of a locking element for coupling the cartridge to an introducer sheath.

FIGS. 4A-4D are side views of an alternative embodiment of the system of FIG. 1B, showing another embodiment of a locking element for coupling the cartridge to an introducer sheath.

FIGS. 5A-5C are cross-sectional details of the system of FIGS. 4A-4D, showing the locking element coupling the introducer sheath to the cartridge.

FIG. 6A is a side view of the system of FIG. 1B, showing yet another embodiment of a locking element for coupling the cartridge to an introducer sheath.

FIGS. 6B-6G are cross-sectional details of the system of FIG. 6A, showing a method for activating the locking element to coupled the introducer sheath to the cartridge.

FIG. 7A is a side view of another embodiment of a locking element carried by a cartridge.

FIGS. 7B-7D are side views of the embodiment of FIG. 7A, showing the cartridge being inserted into an introducer sheath and coupling and decoupling the locking element to the introducer sheath.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views of a patient's body, showing a method for delivering a temporary occlusion or positioning member through an introducer sheath into a puncture extending from a patient's skin to a blood vessel using the system of FIG. 1B.

FIGS. 9A-9D are cross-sectional views of a patient's body, showing a method for sealing a puncture extending from the patient's skin to a blood vessel using the apparatus of FIGS. 3A-3D introduced into the introducer sheath and over the positioning member of FIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of a patient's body, showing another method for sealing a puncture extending from the patient's skin to a blood vessel using the apparatus of FIGS. 4A-4C.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are cross-sectional views of a patient's body, showing still another method for sealing a puncture extending from the patient's skin to a blood vessel using the apparatus of FIGS. 6A-6D.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Turning to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-2B show an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 101 for sealing a puncture through tissue. Generally, as shown in FIG. 1A, the apparatus 101 includes a cartridge or other tubular member 120, a sealant 2 carried by the cartridge 120, a plunger, tamping member, or other pusher member 130 also carried by the cartridge 120, a positioning member 140, and a locking element 150. As shown in FIG. 1B, the apparatus 101 may be part of a system 10, e.g., which may also include a delivery, access, procedure, introducer, or other sheath 20. Optionally, the system 10 may include one or more other components, e.g., a needle, guidewire, and/or other instrument for creating a puncture (not shown), and/or a source of additional sealing compound (also not shown).

As best seen in FIG. 1B, the introducer sheath 20 generally includes a proximal end 22, a distal end 24 sized for insertion into a puncture through tissue, and a lumen 26 extending between the proximal and distal ends 22, 24. The introducer sheath 20 may be formed from a substantially rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible tubular body including a hub 23 on the proximal end 22. The introducer sheath 20 may have sufficient length to extend from a patient's skin through any intervening tissue into a blood vessel or other body lumen, e.g., having a length between about ten centimeters and twenty centimeters (10-20 cm), and may have an outer diameter between about 1.6 millimeters and 4 millimeters (1.6-4 mm). The distal end 24 may be tapered and/or may include a substantially atraumatic distal tip 25 for facilitating advancement through a puncture.

The introducer sheath 20 may be formed using known materials and/or methods, e.g., plastic with the tubular body and hub 23 substantially permanently connected together, e.g., using an interference fit, one or more mating connectors (not shown), bonding with adhesive, sonic welding, and the like. The hub 23 generally includes one or more seals (not shown) adjacent an opening 27, which may prevent flow of blood or other fluids out of the hub 23 from the lumen 26, yet accommodate insertion of one or more instruments into the lumen 26, such as the cartridge 120. Optionally, as shown, the hub 23 may include a side port 29 communicating with the lumen 26, e.g., for coupling a source of saline or other fluid (not shown) to the hub 23.

The hub 23 also includes one or more abutments 28 therein, e.g., adjacent opening 27. For example, the hub 23 may include one or more annular ridges, tabs, grooves, lips and the like, which may provide abutment(s) 28 for interlocking or otherwise engaging with the locking element 150, as described elsewhere herein. Alternatively, the seal(s) within the hub may provide sufficient abutment for engaging with the locking element 150, thereby obviating the need for separate ridges or grooves.

With additional reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the cartridge 120 is generally an elongate tubular body including a proximal end 122, a distal end 124 sized for introduction into the lumen 26 of the introducer sheath 20, and a lumen 126 extending between the proximal and distal ends 122, 124. The cartridge 120 may be substantially rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible, e.g., such that the cartridge 120 may be advanced through the introducer sheath 20 or otherwise into a puncture through tissue. The cartridge 120 may also include a tapered distal tip 125 and/or an enlarged handle or hub 123 on the proximal end 122, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1A.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the cartridge 120 may include a locking element 150 for engaging the abutment(s) 28 in the lumen 26 of the introducer sheath 20. The locking element 150 couples the introducer sheath 20 to the cartridge 120 during use such that subsequent movement of the cartridge 120, e.g., proximally during retraction, causes the introducer sheath 20 to be pulled or otherwise moved along with the cartridge 120. As described elsewhere herein, this coupling may prevent accidental proximal movement of the cartridge 120 independent of the introducer sheath 20, which may otherwise result in deploying the sealant 2 from the cartridge 120 within the introducer sheath 20, rather than within a puncture itself. Embodiments of the locking element are described in further detail elsewhere herein.

With further reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the pusher member 130 may be an elongate tubular body, e.g., a plunger or catheter, including a proximal end 132, a distal end 134 sized for introduction into the lumen 126 of the cartridge 120, and a lumen 136 extending between the proximal and distal ends 132, 134. The pusher member 130 may be sized for being slidably received within the lumen 126 of the cartridge 120, although the pusher member 130 may abut or otherwise interact with the hub 123 of the cartridge 120 such that the pusher member 130 is advanced distally when the cartridge 120 is advanced. The distal end 134 of the pusher member 130 may terminate in a substantially blunt distal tip 135, e.g., to facilitate contacting, pushing, and/or “cinching” the sealant 2 within a puncture, as described further below.

The pusher member 130 may be substantially rigid, semi-rigid, and/or substantially flexible, having sufficient column strength to allow proximal movement of the cartridge 120 relative to the sealant 2 without buckling the pusher member 130 and/or to allow the distal end 134 of the pusher member 130 to be “tamped” down on sealant 2 within a puncture, e.g., by pushing from the proximal end 132, as described elsewhere herein. The pusher member 130 may also include a lumen 136 extending between the proximal and distal ends 132, 134, e.g., to accommodate the positioning member 140, a guidewire (not shown), a flowable sealing compound, and/or fluid.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the pusher member 130 may include one or more elements 137 on the proximal end 132, e.g., for interacting with one or more cooperating elements 145 on the positioning member 140, as described elsewhere herein. As shown, the element(s) 137 may simply be a relatively narrow region on the proximal end 132. Alternatively, the element(s) 137 may be a separate collar or sleeve, one or more inwardly oriented detents, and the like (not shown) attached to or otherwise formed on the proximal end 132 of the pusher member 130.

The sealant 2 may be disposed within the lumen 126 of the cartridge 120 proximate to the distal end 124, e.g., immediately adjacent the distal tip 125. The lumen 126 may be sized such that the cartridge and sealant 2 are slidable relative to one another, e.g., to allow the cartridge 120 to be retracted proximally relative to the sealant 2 and/or pusher member 130.

Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the cartridge 120 may include an inner tubular member 120 b disposed between an outer tubular member 120 a and the pusher member 130. The outer and inner tubular members 120 a, 120 b may be coupled together such that both tubular members 120 a, 120 b are retracted proximally when the hub 123 is pulled proximally after advancement into a puncture, as described elsewhere herein. The inner tubular member 120 b may include a split distal end 124 b, e.g., formed by creating one or more relatively short longitudinal cuts or slots extending proximally from the distal end 124 b. The split distal end 124 b may facilitate retraction of the cartridge 120 relative to the sealant 2, e.g., by providing extra flexibility at the distal end 124, which may allow the distal end 124 to separate more easily from the sealant 2, e.g., as the sealant begins to expand upon being exposed to an aqueous environment.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the positioning member 140 generally is an elongate member including a proximal end 142, a distal end 144, and a positioning or occlusion element 146 on the distal end 144. The positioning element 146 may be an expandable member, such as a balloon, a wire mesh structure, an expandable frame, and the like. The positioning element 146 may be selectively expandable, e.g., using a source of inflation media, a pull wire, and/or other actuator (not shown), operable from the proximal end 142 of the positioning member 140.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the positioning element may be a balloon 146, and the positioning member 140 may be a tubular body including a lumen (not shown) extending between the proximal and distal ends 142, 144 and communicating with an interior of the balloon 146. In this embodiment, the positioning member 140 may include a source of inflation media, e.g., a syringe 149 coupled to a housing 148 on the proximal end 142 of the positioning member 140. Optionally, the positioning member 140 may include an internal pull wire (not shown) that causes the balloon 146 to shorten during expansion and extend during collapse. Exemplary embodiments of positioning members 140 including balloons that may be used are disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/454,362, filed Jun. 4, 2003, published as US 2004/0249342, Ser. No. 11/112,877, filed Apr. 22, 2005, published as US 2006/0253072, and Ser. No. 11/112,971, filed Apr. 22, 2005, and published international application WO 2006/115904. The entire disclosures of these references are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Alternatively, the positioning element may be biased to an enlarged condition, but may be compressed to a contracted condition, e.g., by an overlying sleeve or other constraint (not shown). The constraint may be removed to expose the positioning element, allowing the expandable element to automatically expand to the enlarged condition. Additional information on expandable structures that may be provided on the positioning member 140 may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,238,412, 6,635,068, and 6,890.343, and in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/975,205, filed Oct. 27, 2004. The entire disclosures of these references are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Returning to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the sealant 2 may include a biocompatible, bioabsorbable, and/or expandable material, such as a freeze-dried hydrogel. The sealant 2 may have a solid or hollow cylindrical shape, a rolled sheet shape, a disk shape, or other shapes or cross-sections, such as elliptical, triangular, square, conical, disk, polygonic shapes. For example, the sealant 2 may be formed from a solid material including a lumen 4 extending between proximal and distal ends thereof. The lumen 4 may be created by rolling a sheet of material around a mandrel, by molding, by boring into or otherwise removing material from an already formed solid material, and the like. The lumen 4 may be dimensioned such that the positioning member 140, a guidewire or other instrument (not shown) may slide or otherwise pass through the sealant 2, as described elsewhere herein.

The sealant 2 may be substantially homogeneous, or may include one or more different materials at one or more locations. For example, in one embodiment, the sealant 2 may include a carrier or core having first and second hydrogel precursors disposed thereon in an unreactive state, which may provide an adherent coating when the sealant 26 is exposed to an aqueous environment. In one embodiment, the sealant 2 may be formed from a biocompatible and/or bioabsorbable hydrogel, e.g., polyethylene glycol (“PEG”), or other synthetic material. For example, the hydrogel may include a lyophilized (i.e., freeze-dried) PEG polymer that includes hydrolytically degradable chemical groups, e.g., including a macroporous polymer network, which may uptake fluid and expand when exposed to an aqueous environment. The magnitude of expansion or swelling (pre to post hydration) may be significant, e.g., between about two and ten times (2×-10×) its lyophilized size based on volume.

In addition or alternatively, the sealant 2 may include pro-thrombotic material, e.g., including one or more biological pro-thrombotics, such as collagen, fibrin, carboxymethylcellulose, oxidized cellulose, alginates, gelatin, or other protein-based material, and/or synthetic materials, such as polyglycolic acids (PGA's), polyactides (PLA's), polyvinyl alcohol, and the like. Optionally, the sealant 2 may include one or more therapeutic and/or pharmaceutical agents, e.g., to promote healing, prevent infection and/or other adverse medical events, and the like. Such agents may be embedded in the sealant material and/or applied as one or more coatings or layers. Exemplary materials and methods for making and using them are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,152,943, 6,165,201, 6,179,862, 6,514,534, 6,379,373, 6,703,047, and in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/010,715 filed Nov. 9, 2001, Ser. No. 10/068,807 filed Feb. 5, 2002, Ser. No. 10/454,362, filed Jun. 4, 2003, published as US 2004/0249342, Ser. No. 10/982,387, filed Nov. 5, 2004, published as US 2006/0034930, Ser. No. 10/982,384, filed Nov. 5, 2004, published as US 2006/0099238, and Ser. No. 11/465,791, filed Aug. 18, 2006. The disclosures of these references are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Turning to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the apparatus 101 may be used to position and deliver the sealant 2 within a puncture, e.g., extra-vascularly just above or otherwise adjacent to an arteriotomy in a blood vessel or other body lumen communicating with a puncture, as described further elsewhere herein. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the cartridge 120 (along with the pusher member 130 and sealant 2) may be initially provided on the proximal end 142 of the positioning member 140. For example, the housing 148 (not shown, see FIG. 1A) on the positioning member 140 and the hub 123 on the cartridge 120 may be initially connected to one another, e.g., using one or more releasable detents and the like. The cartridge 120 may be slidable distally along the positioning member 140, e.g., by disconnecting the hub 123 from the housing 148, and then advancing the cartridge 120 until the distal end 124 of the cartridge 120 is disposed adjacent the positioning element 146, as shown in FIG. 2B. For example, the detents may simply separate from one another when the hub 123 is advanced away from the housing 148 with sufficient force. Alternatively, one of the hub 123 and housing 148 may include an actuator or lock that may be activated (not shown) to separate the detents and/or otherwise allow the cartridge 120 to be advanced relative to the positioning member 140.

Optionally, the positioning member 140 and/or pusher member 130 may include one or more elements that engage when the cartridge 120 reaches a predetermined location when advanced along the positioning member 140, e.g., to limit subsequent proximal movement of the pusher member 130 relative to the positioning member 140. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the positioning member 140 may include a reduced diameter region 145 at a predetermined location, e.g., by providing a larger tube around a smaller inner tube or by machining, etching, or otherwise removing a portion of the tubular body of the positioning member 140 distal to the reduced region 145. The pusher member 130 may include a living hinge, tab, or other element 137 on the proximal end 132 that may pass freely over the reduced region 145, yet may be unable to pass proximally back over the reduced region 145. Alternatively, the positioning member 140 may include a ring, tab, or other raised element (not shown) and the pusher member 130 may include a corresponding element (also not shown) that may allow distal advancement but prevent proximal retraction once the pusher member 130 is advanced a predetermined distance.

The reduced region 145 may be provided at a predetermined location on the positioning member 140, e.g., a predetermined distance from the positioning element 146 that corresponds to a length of the pusher member 130. As the cartridge 120 (and consequently the pusher member 130) is advanced over the positioning member 140, e.g., until the sealant 2 is disposed adjacent the positioning element 146, the element 137 may pass freely over the reduced region 145. Thereafter, the element 137 may prevent the pusher member 130 from being retracted again past the reduced region 145, due to the blunt edge of the element 137 abutting the abrupt transition of the reduced region 145.

Alternatively, the cartridge member 120 and pusher member 130 may be provided initially adjacent the distal end 144 of the positioning member 140, as shown in FIG. 2B. In this alternative, the pusher member 130 and positioning member 140 may include cooperating features, such as element 137 and reduced region 145 to prevent proximal movement of the pusher member 130 relative to the positioning member 140. Alternatively, the pusher member 130 may be otherwise fixed relative to the positioning member 140, for example, mechanically bonded, chemically bonded, interference fit, and the like. Thus, the distal end 134 of the pusher member 130 may be fixed a predetermined distance proximal to the positioning element 146, e.g., to provide the plug 2 immediately adjacent the positioning element 146, as shown in FIG. 2B. Additional information on such alternatives and methods for making and using them may be found in co-pending application Ser. No. 60/825,410, filed Sep. 13, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference.

With additional reference to FIGS. 3A-3D, in one embodiment, the locking element 150 on the cartridge 120 may be a coil or spring lock 150 a disposed over the cartridge 120. Initially, the coil 150 a may extend circumferentially around the cartridge 120 from the hub 123 towards the distal end 124, as shown in FIG. 3A. Optionally, a proximal end 151 of the coil 150 a may be attached or otherwise secured to the hub 123, e.g., to prevent rotation and/or distal migration of the proximal end 151. Alternatively, the proximal end 151 of the coil 150 a may simply abut the hub 123, e.g., due to the diameter of the coil 150 a being smaller than the diameter of the hub 123. The coil 150 a may have a leading end 152, which may end in one or more windings extending more axially than other windings 154, e.g., those extending from the leading end 152 to the proximal end 151. For example, as shown, the leading end 152 may terminate in a loose wire tip extending towards the distal end 124 of the cartridge 120, e.g., which may be shaped into a rounded or hook shape. Alternatively, the leading end 152 may extend around the cartridge 120, e.g., including one or more windings that extend radially around the distal end 124 of the cartridge 120, i.e., substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge 120.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the diameter of the leading end 152 of the coil 150 a may be sufficiently small to allow the leading end 152 to enter into the opening 27 in the hub 23 of the introducer sheath 20. The axially extending tip may facilitate initially passing the leading end 152 through the opening 27 and past the abutment(s) 28 therein. Most or all of the adjacent windings 154 may be oriented more radially (or substantially perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal axis) around the cartridge 120, e.g., to engage the abutment 28 as the coil 150 a is advanced through the opening 27, as shown in FIG. 3C. The engagement of the windings 154 of the coil 150 a to the abutment 28 may substantially couple the introducer sheath 20 to the cartridge 120, e.g., to subsequently couple movement of the introducer sheath 20 to movement of the cartridge 120.

When the introducer sheath 20 and the cartridge 120 are coupled by the coil 150 a in this manner, the cartridge 120 may still be advanced distally through the coil 150 a and further into the introducer sheath 120. Additionally, the diameter of the hub 123 may be greater than the diameter of the coil 150 a, such that the hub 123 compresses the coil 150 a as the cartridge 120 is advanced distally into the introducer sheath 120, as shown in FIG. 3D.

The coil 150 a may allow the cartridge 120 to be engaged with introducer sheaths having different lengths. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, when the cartridge 120 is advanced into a relatively short introducer sheath, e.g., having a length of twelve centimeters (12 cm), the coil 150 b may be only slightly compressed by the time the distal end 124 of the cartridge 120 contacts the expanded positioning element 146, as described further elsewhere herein. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3D, when the cartridge 120 is advanced into a relatively long introducer sheath, e.g., having a length of fifteen centimeters (15 cm), the coil 150 a may be axially compressed further by the time the distal end 124 of the cartridge 120 contacts the expanded positioning element 146. In either case, sufficient windings may engage the abutment(s) 28 to couple the introducer sheath to the cartridge 120. In addition or alternatively, the lengths of the coil 150 a and the cartridge 120 may be sized relative to one another such that the coil 150 a becomes incompressible or provides substantial resistance to further advancement, e.g., to provide tactile feedback to the user, before the cartridge 120 exits the introducer sheath 20 through the distal end 24. This may prevent the sealant 2 from being advanced beyond the introducer sheath 20, e.g., into a blood vessel or other body lumen communicating with the puncture.

Thereafter, when the cartridge 120 is retracted proximally, the leading end 152 of the coil 150 a may engage the abutment(s) 28, thereby pulling the introducer sheath 20 proximally with the cartridge 120. The windings of the leading end 152 distally beyond the abutment(s) 28 may have sufficient rigidity to allow the introducer sheath 20 to be pulled proximally, and/or may be supported by the proximal windings 154 compressed against the abutment(s) 28, as shown in FIG. 3D. Optionally, if desired or necessary to disengage the coil 150 a from the introducer sheath 20, the cartridge 120 may be rotated to unscrew the leading end 152 of the coil 150 a from the abutment(s) 28. Thus, once disengaged, the cartridge 120 may then be retracted proximally while the introducer sheath 20 remains in place.

Turning to FIGS. 8A-9D, an exemplary method is shown for sealing a puncture 90, e.g., using the apparatus 101 described above to deliver a sealant 2, e.g., to achieve hemostasis within the puncture 90. Generally, the puncture 90 extends from a patient's skin 92 through intervening tissue 96, e.g., to a body lumen 94. In an exemplary embodiment, the puncture 90 may be a percutaneous puncture communicating with a blood vessel 94, such as a femoral artery, carotid artery, and the like.

In an exemplary method, the puncture 90 may be created using known procedures, e.g., using a needle, guidewire, one or more dilators, and the like (not shown). An introducer sheath 20 may be advanced through the puncture 90 into the vessel 94, e.g., over a guide wire placed through the puncture 90 into the vessel 94. The introducer sheath 20 may provide access into the vessel 92 for one or more instruments, e.g., to allow one or more diagnostic and/or interventional procedures to be performed via the vessel 92. Upon completing the procedure(s) via the vessel 94, any such instrument(s) may be removed from the puncture 90, leaving the introducer sheath 20 extending through the puncture 90 into the vessel 94.

With reference to FIG. 8A, a positioning member 140 may be introduced into and/or through the lumen 26 of the introducer sheath 20, e.g., with the expandable positioning element 146 in a collapsed condition. The cartridge 120, along with the sealant 2 and pusher member 130, may be provided initially on the proximal end 142 of the positioning member 140 (not shown in FIG. 8A for clarity, see FIG. 1A). Thus, the distal end 124 of the cartridge 120 may initially be located outside the puncture 90 when the positioning member 30 is advanced into the puncture 90. Alternatively, the cartridge 120 may be carried on the distal end 144 of the positioning member 140, e.g., as shown in FIG. 2B, such that the cartridge 120 (along with the sealant 2 and pusher member 130) are introduced simultaneously with the positioning member 140, as described in application Ser. No. 60/825,410, incorporated by reference herein.

Still referring to FIG. 8A, the distal end 144 of the positioning member 140 may be inserted through the puncture 90 (via the introducer sheath 20) and into the vessel 94 (shown in phantom). Once the positioning element 146 is disposed within the vessel 94, i.e., beyond the distal end 24 of the introducer sheath 20, the positioning element 146 may be expanded to an enlarged condition, e.g., as shown in FIG. 8B. After expanding the positioning element 146, the positioning member 140 may be at least partially withdrawn until the positioning element 146 contacts the wall of the vessel 94, e.g., to substantially seal the vessel 94 from the puncture 90.

In an exemplary method, this may involve a two-step process (although it may be completed in a single continuous action). First, with the positioning element 146 expanded within the vessel 94, the positioning member 140 may be withdrawn until the positioning element 146 contacts the distal end 24 of the introducer sheath 20, which may provide a first tactile feedback to the user (i.e., that the positioning element 146 has contacted the introducer sheath 20, e.g., based upon the increased weight and/or resistance to proximal movement). The positioning member 140 may be withdrawn further until the positioning element 146 contacts the wall of the vessel 94 and resists further withdrawal, thereby providing a second tactile feedback. The introducer sheath 20 may be pulled proximally by the positioning element 146 as the positioning member 120 is withdrawn, e.g., until the distal end 24 of the introducer sheath 20 is withdrawn from the vessel 94 into the puncture 90, as shown in FIG. 8B.

Proximal tension may be applied and/or maintained on the positioning member 140 to hold the positioning element 146 against the wall of the vessel 94, e.g., to seal the puncture 90 from the vessel 94 and/or prevent further removal of the positioning member 140. The proximal tension may be maintained manually or using a tensioner device (not shown) to provide temporary hemostasis, e.g., during the subsequent steps. Exemplary tension devices are disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 10/806,952, filed Mar. 22, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Turning to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the cartridge 120 (carrying the sealant 2) may be advanced distally over the positioning member 140 into the puncture 90. For example, FIG. 9A illustrates the cartridge 120 and locking element 150 of FIG. 3A being advanced distally over the positioning member 140 and into the introducer sheath 20. The leading end 152 of the coil 150 a is advanced through or beyond the abutment 28, after which the subsequent windings 154 of the coil 150 a engage the abutment 28, as shown in FIG. 9A. The cartridge 120 thus becomes coupled to the introducer sheath 20, thereby coupling subsequent movement of the introducer sheath 20 to that of the cartridge 120. The cartridge 120 may be further advanced into the introducer sheath 20 toward the positioning element 146, e.g., compressing the coil 150 a, as shown in FIGS. 9B, 3C, and 3D.

Thereafter, the cartridge 120 may be retracted, e.g., by pulling proximally on the hub 123. Because the locking element 150 has coupled the introducer sheath 20 to the cartridge 120, this action also withdraws the introducer sheath 20 from the puncture 90. As the cartridge 120 is retracted, the pusher member 130 may prevent substantial proximal movement of the sealant 2, thereby exposing the sealant 2 within the puncture 90, as shown in FIG. 9C. For example, as described above with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, as the cartridge 120 is advanced, the pusher member 130 may pass over the reduced region 145 of the positioning member 140, as shown in FIG. 2B. When the cartridge 120 is then retracted, the element 137 on the pusher member 130 may abut the reduced region 145, thereby preventing substantial proximal movement of the pusher member 130, and the sealant 2 adjacent the distal end 134 of the pusher member 130.

When the sealant 2 is exposed within the puncture 90, the sealant 2 may be exposed to blood and/or other body fluids within the puncture 90. This exposure may cause the sealant 2 to absorb fluid and/or otherwise expand within the puncture 90, e.g., to provide hemostasis. If desired, once the sealant 2 is exposed within the puncture 90, the pusher member 130 may be advanced to compress or tamp the sealant 2, e.g., against the positioning element 146. Optionally, the pusher member 130 may include one or more distance markers (not shown) on or adjacent the proximal end 132, and the pusher member 130 may be advanced into the puncture 90 a desired distance, which may be confirmed by monitoring the distance markers.

Once the sealant 2 has been exposed for sufficient time and/or tamped by the pusher member 130, the positioning element 146 may be collapsed, and the positioning member 140 withdrawn from the vessel 94 and puncture 90, e.g., pulling the collapsed positioning element 146 through the sealant 2 and pusher member 130. The pusher member 130 may be maintained substantially stationary during withdrawal of the positioning member 140, e.g., to prevent migration and/or dislodgment of the sealant 2 within the puncture 90. Once the positioning member 140 is completely removed, the pusher member 130 may be removed from the puncture 90, leaving the sealant 2 within the puncture 90, as shown in FIG. 9D.

Optionally, after removing the positioning member 140, liquid hydrogel or other sealing compound, or other material may be delivered into the puncture 90, e.g., above and/or around the sealant 2, to assist in achieving hemostasis. For example, such material may be delivered via the lumen 136 of the pusher member 130 and/or by introducing another delivery device (not shown) into the puncture 90, e.g., after removing the pusher member 130.

Turning to FIGS. 4A-4C and 5A-5C, another embodiment of a locking element 250 is shown that may be carried by a cartridge 120′ of an apparatus 101,′ which may be similar to other embodiments described herein. Generally, the locking element 250 includes a sleeve or other carrier 252 and a first set of one or more barbs, catches, detents, or other features 254 extending from the sleeve 252. As best seen in FIGS. 5A-5C, the first detents 254 may be provided on a nipple or other extension 256 extending distally from the sleeve 252. The extension 256 may have a size smaller than the sleeve 252, e.g., such that the extension 256 and first detents 254 may be received in a hub 23 of an introducer sheath 20, while the sleeve 252 abuts the hub 23, as described further below. The first detents 254 may be biased to extend outwardly from the sleeve 252, e.g., diagonally or otherwise laterally, to define an expanded position. Yet, the first detents 254 may be compressible radially inwardly toward the sleeve 252 to define a compressed position, the first detents 254 resiliently returning to the expanded position when free from external forces. As shown, the first detents 254 may include sloped distal edges 254 a to facilitate compressing the first detents 254, e.g., as they enter the opening 27 and pass through the abutment(s) 28, and substantially blunt proximal ends 254 b that may contact the abutment(s) 28 to prevent removal of the first detents 254 from the introducer sheath 20.

The sleeve 252 also has a passage 258 extending therethrough that allows the sleeve 252 to slidably receive the cartridge 120′ therethrough. The sleeve 252 may include one or more recesses and/or catches adjacent the passage 258, which may be engaged by a second set of detents 127′ on the cartridge 120,′ as described further elsewhere herein. The locking element 250 may be formed from one or more pieces of material, e.g., integrally formed from a single piece by injection molding, machining, and the like. The locking element 250 may be formed from plastic, metal, or composite material such that the sleeve 252 and extension 256 are substantially rigid, while the first detents 254 are resiliently deflectable between the expanded and collapsed positions.

As best seen in FIG. 4A, the cartridge 120′ generally includes a proximal end 122,′ a distal end 124′ sized for introduction into an introducer sheath 20, and a hub 123′ on the proximal end 122,′ similar to other embodiments herein. The cartridge 120′ may also include a lumen (not shown) extending between the proximal and distal ends 122,′ 124′ within which a sealant and/or pusher member (not shown) may be disposed, also similar to other embodiments herein. Unlike other embodiments, the cartridge 120′ includes a second set of one or more barbs, catches, or other detents 127′ adjacent the proximal end 122′ and/or hub 123.′ The second detents 127′ may be biased to an extended position, but resiliently compressible to a compressed position similar to the first detents 254. The second detents 127′ may be integrally formed on the cartridge 120′ a predetermined distance from the hub 123.′ For example, the cartridge 120′ and detents 127′ may be injection molded together, or the detents 127′ may be attached to the cartridge 120′ at a desired location, e.g., by bonding with adhesive, interference fit within a recess in the cartridge 120,′ sonic welding, and the like.

Before use, the locking element 250 may be carried on the distal end 124′ of the cartridge 120,′ as shown in FIG. 4A. For example, the sleeve 252 may be releasably attached to the cartridge 120,′ e.g., using a low bond adhesive, interference fit that provides a slight degree of friction, and the like. Thus, the sleeve 252 may be slidable relative to the cartridge 120,′ e.g., by overcoming the adhesive or friction, as described further elsewhere herein.

The extension 256 and first detents 254 are sized to be distally advanced into the opening 27 in the introducer sheath 20, e.g., until the first detents 254 contact the abutment(s) 28, whereby further advancement compresses the first detents 254 radially inwardly as the first detents 254 pass through the abutment(s) 28. When the first detents 254 are advanced distally beyond the abutment(s) 28, the first detents 254 may resiliently resume the expanded position, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 5B. As shown, the diameter of the first detents 254 in the expanded position is greater than the diameter within the abutment(s) 28. Thus, when the first detents 254 are in the expanded position distally beyond the abutment(s) 28, proximal movement of the locking element 250 causes the first detents 254 to engage the abutment(s) 28, coupling the introducer sheath 20 to the locking element 250 such that proximal movement of the locking element 250 causes corresponding proximal movement the introducer sheath 20.

As shown in FIGS. 4A-4D, the locking element 250 may “float” somewhat on the cartridge 120.′ For example, with additional reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the cartridge 120′ is advanced relative to the positioning member 140 and introducer sheath 20, e.g., as described in the methods above, the locking element 250 may also be advanced until the extension 256 and first detents 254 enter the introducer sheath 20 and the first detents 254 pass beyond abutment(s) 28, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 10A. Further advancement of the cartridge 120′ may cause the sleeve 252 to abut the hub 23 of the introducer sheath 20, thereby preventing further advancement of the locking element 250 relative to the introducer sheath 20, as shown in FIG. 10B. Thus, the cartridge 120′ may then slide through the sleeve 252 and extension 256 of the locking element 250 further into the introducer sheath 20, as shown in FIGS. 4C and 5C.

The cartridge 120′ may be advanced sufficiently into the introducer sheath 20, e.g., until the distal end 124′ contacts the expanded positioning element 146 (not shown, see, e.g., FIG. 8B) or the sealant 2 is otherwise positioned within the puncture 90, as described elsewhere herein. As best seen in FIGS. 5C and 10B, during this advancement of the cartridge 120,′ the second detents 127′ may enter into the passage 258 within the sleeve 252. The second detents 127′ are also sufficiently flexible to be compressed radially inwardly as they pass under the sleeve 252, yet may resiliently resume the expanded position once exposed within the passage 258. When the cartridge 120′ is subsequently moved proximally, e.g., to expose the sealant 2 within the puncture 90, the second detents 127′ may abut a wall 259 of the sleeve 252 adjacent the passage 258, thereby coupling the locking element 250 to the cartridge 120,′ as shown in FIGS. 4D, 5C, and 10B. Optionally, the sleeve 252 may include one or more intermediate walls (not shown) within the passage 258, e.g., such that second detents 127′ may ratchet under each successive wall when the cartridge 120′ is advanced distally, yet abut the immediately preceding wall when the cartridge 120′ is subsequently withdrawn. This may accommodate advancing the cartridge 120′ into introducer sheaths 20 of varying length.

Thus, when the second detents 127′ are expanded within the passage 258 and the first detents 252 are expanded beyond the abutment(s) 28, the introducer sheath 20 is coupled to the cartridge 120′ by the locking element 250. Subsequent movement of the cartridge 120,′ e.g., during withdrawal to expose the sealant 2, may cause corresponding movement of the introducer sheath 20 to expose the sealant 2 within the puncture 90, similar to the methods described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3D and 9A-9D.

Turning to FIGS. 6A-6D, still another embodiment of a locking element 350 is shown that may be carried by a cartridge 320 of an apparatus 301, which may be generally similar to other embodiments described herein. For example, the cartridge 320 may include a proximal end 322 attached to a hub 323, and a distal end 324 sized for introduction into an introducer sheath 20. The cartridge 320 may include a sealant and/or pusher member (both not shown) therein, all similar to other embodiments herein. Unlike previous embodiments, the cartridge 320 includes a nipple or extension 328 on the proximal end 322, e.g., attached to or otherwise extending from the hub 323.

The extension 328 includes one or more barbs, catches, detents, or other features 327 extending radially outwardly from the extension 328. The detent(s) 327 may include a ramped and/or tapered distal surface 327 a and a blunt proximal surface 327 b, which may facilitate inserting the extension 328 at least partially into the locking element 350, similar to the second detents 127′ described elsewhere with reference to FIGS. 4A-4D. Thus, the detents 327 may be expandable or otherwise deformable to allow the detents 327 to enter the locking element 350, but preventing subsequent removal, thereby coupling the locking element 350 to the cartridge 320, as described further below.

The locking element 350 includes a sleeve, hub, or other carrier 352 and a nipple or extension 356 extending from the sleeve 352. The extension 356 includes a tapered distal end 353 including one or more flanges, catches, detents, or other features 354 that extending radially outwardly from the distal end 353. The distal end 353 may be sufficiently flexible to be expandable from a contracted position, shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C to an enlarged condition, shown in FIG. 6D. The sleeve 352 includes a passage 358 through which the cartridge 320 may be slidably received, the passage 358 including a proximal wall 359 (and optionally one or more axially spaced internal walls, not shown).

The locking element 350 may be carried initially on the distal end 324 of the cartridge 320 with the distal end 353 in the contracted condition, as shown in FIG. 6A. For example, the locking element 350 may be releasably secured to the cartridge 120, e.g., using an adhesive, an interference fit, and the like, which may be disrupted when an axial force is applied to the cartridge 320. The passage 358 may be sized to slidably receive the distal end 324 of the cartridge 320 therethrough, while the distal end 353 of the extension 356 is tapered in the contracted position to a cross-section smaller than the distal end 324 of the cartridge 320. In the contracted condition, the distal end 353 and detent(s) 354 are sized to be received through the opening 27 of the introducer sheath 20, as shown in FIG. 6B.

When the cartridge 320 is advanced distally through the sleeve 352 and into the lumen 26 of the introducer sheath 20, the cartridge 320 pushes the distal end 353 outwardly to the expanded position, as shown in FIG. 6D. The distal end 353 may be plastically deformed when directed to the expanded position, e.g., such that the distal end 353 remains in the expanded position even if the cartridge 320 is subsequently removed therefrom, or the distal end 353 may be sufficiently elastic to resiliently return towards the contracted position if the cartridge 320 is removed therefrom.

In the expanded position, the diameter of the detent(s) 354 on the distal end 353 is greater than that of the abutment(s) 28 in the introducer sheath 20. Thus, when the tube distal end 353 of the extension 356 is advanced into the hub 23 of the introducer sheath 20 beyond the abutment(s) 28 and directed to the expanded position, proximal movement of the locking element 350 causes the detent(s) 354 to engage the abutment 28, coupling the locking element 350 to the introducer sheath 20 and limiting proximal movement of the introducer sheath 20 separately from the locking element 350. When the locking element 350 is also coupled to the cartridge 320, subsequent proximal movement of the introducer sheath 20 is thus coupled to proximal movement of the cartridge 120, similar to the other embodiments herein.

The diameter of the sleeve 352 of the locking element 350 may be greater than that of the lumen 26 of the introducer sheath 20, such that the sleeve 352 cannot enter the lumen 26, thereby limiting advancement of the extension 356, distal end 353, and detent(s) 354 into the introducer sheath 20. Thus, the locking element 350 may be advanced distally into the introducer sheath 20 until the sleeve 352 abuts the hub 23 of the introducer sheath 20, preventing the extension 356 from advancing further into the introducer sheath 20. The cartridge 320 may still be advanced through the locking element 350 when the sleeve 352 contacts the hub 23 of the introducer sheath 20 to automatically expand the distal end 353 and detent(s) 354 of the locking element 350.

The locking element 350 may be coupled to the cartridge 320 when the cartridge 320 is advanced distally through the locking element 350 into the introducer sheath 20. For example, when the cartridge 320 is advanced into the introducer sheath, the locking element 350 may be advanced into the hub 23 of the introducer sheath until the distal end 353 and detent(s) 354 are disposed distally beyond the abutment(s) 28, as described above. When the sleeve 352 of the locking element 350 abuts the hub 23, the cartridge 320 may continue to be advanced through the locking element 350 until the detent(s) 327 on the cartridge 320 pass under the sleeve 352 and enter the passage 358 therein. The tapered distal end 327 a may facilitate passing the detent(s) 327 under the sleeve 352, while the blunt proximal end 327 b may abut the internal wall 359 to prevent subsequent disengagement of the locking element 350 from the cartridge 320. Optionally, the hub 323 of the cartridge 120 may be larger than the sleeve 352 of the locking element 350, thereby limiting distal movement of the cartridge 320 relative to the locking element 350.

Thus, when the detent(s) 327 on the cartridge 320 enter the passage 358 within the sleeve 352, subsequent proximal movement of the cartridge 320 causes corresponding proximal movement of the locking element 350. This couples subsequent movement of the introducer sheath 20 to that of the cartridge 320.

During use, the apparatus 301 may be used to deliver sealant 2 within a puncture 90, similar to other embodiments described elsewhere herein. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, an introducer sheath 20 may be disposed from a patient's skin 92, through a puncture 90 into a body lumen 94, similar to other methods herein. With the positioning element 146 collapsed (not shown), the positioning member 140 may be advanced through the introducer sheath 20, the positioning element 146 expanded, and refracted against the wall of the body lumen 94, also as shown in FIG. 11B. The cartridge 320 may then be advanced over the positioning member 140 into the introducer sheath 20, as shown in FIGS. 6B-6F, 11A, and 11B.

As shown in FIGS. 6B and 11A, the locking element 350 is advanced in front of the cartridge 320 into the introducer sheath 20 with the distal end 353 remaining in the contracted condition. Once the sleeve 353 of the locking element 350 abuts the hub 23 of the introducer sheath 20, advancement of the locking element 350 is stopped, while the cartridge 320 is continued to be advanced (optionally breaking any adhesive and/or severing any other connection between the cartridge 320 and the locking element 350). At this stage, the distal end 353 and detent(s) 354 of the locking element 350 are disposed distally beyond the abutment(s) 28 of the introducer sheath 20, as best seen in FIG. 6C. As the distal end 324 of the cartridge 320 passes through the locking element 350 during further advancement, the cartridge 320 causes the distal end 353 and the detent(s) 354 to expand outwardly to the expanded position, as shown in FIGS. 6D and 11B.

The cartridge 320 may continue to be advanced distally toward the positioning element 146 until the detent(s) 327 on the cartridge 320 pass under the sleeve 352 and enter the passage 358, as shown in FIGS. 6E and 6F. Optionally, distal advancement of the cartridge 320 may be limited by the hub 323 abutting the sleeve 352 of the locking element 350. Once in this position, the introducer sheath 20 is coupled to the locking element 350, which is, in turn, coupled to the cartridge 320.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 6G, proximal movement of the cartridge 320 causes the detent(s) 327 to engage the wall 359 within the passage 358 of the sleeve 350, thereby causing corresponding proximal movement of the locking element 350. This movement, in turn, causes the detent(s) 354 of the locking element 350 to engage the abutment(s) 28 within the introducer sheath 20, thereby causing corresponding proximal movement of the introducer sheath 20. Thus, when the cartridge 320 is retracted to expose the sealant 2, as shown in FIG. 11B, the introducer sheath 20 may also be retracted such that the sealant 2 is exposed within the puncture 90 itself, e.g., similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D.

Turning to FIGS. 7A-7D, still another embodiment of a locking element 450 is shown that may be provided on a cartridge 120, which may be similar to other embodiments described elsewhere herein. In this embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 7A, the locking element 450 includes a expandable bellows or sleeve 454 including a hub or collar 452 on a proximal end, and a distal end 456 fixed axially relative to the cartridge 120. The bellows 454 may be formed from a flexible thin-walled tubing, e.g., a section of heat-shrink tubing that has been shrunk over a mandrel having a desired pattern of undulations, e.g., a screw or other helically threaded mandrel (not shown). The locking element 450 may be provided around the cartridge 120 with the distal end 456 fixed and the collar 120 loose or releasable secured thereto. For example, the distal end 456 may be substantially permanently attached to the cartridge 120, e.g., by bonding with adhesive, sonic welding, and the like. Optionally, the collar 452 may be bonded adjacent a proximal end 122 of the cartridge 120, but may be released, if desired, by overcoming the strength of the bond.

During use, when the cartridge 120 is advanced into an introducer sheath 20, as shown in FIG. 7B, the distal end 456 of the bellows 454 may enter the hub 23 of the introducer sheath 20 and pass through one or more abutments (not shown) therein, similar to previous embodiments. As the cartridge 120 is advanced, the bellows 454 may also be advanced axially, as the collar 452 is free to move over the cartridge 120 (e.g., if the collar 452 is loose or released from being secured to the cartridge 120), thereby causing the undulations of the bellows 454 to compress radially towards the cartridge 120 and advance past the abutment(s) within the introducer sheath 20. Subsequent proximal movement of the cartridge 120 causes the bellows 454 to expand radially outwardly and engage the abutment(s) within the introducer sheath 20, thereby coupling the introducer sheath 20 to the locking element 450, and consequently to the cartridge 120, as shown in FIG. 7C. Thus, subsequent retraction of the cartridge 120 may cause the introducer sheath 20 also to retract, e.g., during deployment of a sealant (not shown) carried within the cartridge 120.

If it is desired to disengage the introducer sheath 20 from the cartridge 120, the collar 452 may be pulled proximally to collapse and extend the bellows 454 out of the hub 23 of the introducer sheath 20, as shown in FIG. 7D. With the bellows 454 radially collapsed and no longer engaging the abutment(s) within the introducer sheath 20, the cartridge 120 may be retracted independently of the introducer sheath 20.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications, and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A method for sealing a puncture extending through tissue to a body lumen, comprising: introducing an introducer sheath into the puncture; advancing a tubular member carrying a sealant therein into the introducer sheath; engaging a plurality of outwardly projecting barbs circumferentially disposed about a distal tip of a tubular extension on the tubular member with a proximal end of the introducer sheath to couple the introducer sheath to the tubular member; and retracting the tubular member at least partially from the puncture, thereby retracting the introducer sheath with the tubular member at least partially from the puncture and exposing the sealant within the puncture distally beyond the introducer sheath, wherein the step of engaging comprises passing the distal tip of the tubular extension and the plurality of barbs beyond abutment features disposed on the introducer sheath.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the engaging step, a locking element comprises the plurality of barbs on the distal tip of the tubular extension to engage with the introducer sheath.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the locking element further comprises a sleeve disposed on the tubular member and an extension extending from the sleeve that is inserted into the introducer sheath proximal end when the tubular member is advanced into the introducer sheath.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the barbs extend radially from the sleeve.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein advancing a tubular member carrying a sealant therein into the introducer sheath comprises advancing the tubular member such that the barbs are compressed radially inwardly as the barbs pass through the abutment features and resiliently expand beyond the abutment features, thereby engaging the expanded barbs with the abutment features to couple the introducer sheath to the tubular member.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the barbs comprise ramped distal surfaces that engage the abutment features as the barbs enter the introducer sheath to compress the barbs radially inwardly.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the abutment features comprise one or more seals within a hub on the proximal end of the introducer sheath.
 8. A method for sealing a puncture extending through tissue to a body lumen, comprising: introducing an introducer sheath into the puncture; advancing a tubular member carrying a sealant therein into the introducer sheath; engaging a plurality of outwardly projecting barbs circumferentially disposed about the tubular member with a proximal end of the introducer sheath to couple the introducer sheath to the tubular member; and retracting the tubular member at least partially from the puncture, thereby retracting the introducer sheath with the tubular member at least partially from the puncture and exposing the sealant within the puncture distally beyond the introducer sheath, wherein the step of engaging comprises passing the plurality of barbs beyond abutment features disposed on the introducer sheath, wherein, in the engaging step, a locking element is disposed about the tubular member, and the locking element comprises the plurality of barbs to engage with the introducer sheath, wherein the locking element comprises a sleeve disposed on the tubular member and an extension extending from the sleeve that is inserted into the introducer sheath proximal end when the tubular member is advanced into the introducer sheath, and wherein the extension is expandable from a contracted condition to accommodate insertion into the introducer sheath and an expanded condition when the tubular member is advanced distally into the introducer sheath to prevent subsequent removal of the extension from the introducer sheath.
 9. A method for sealing a puncture extending through tissue to a body lumen, comprising: introducing an introducer sheath into the puncture; advancing a tubular member carrying a sealant therein into the introducer sheath; engaging a plurality of outwardly projecting barbs circumferentially disposed about the tubular member with a proximal end of the introducer sheath to couple the introducer sheath to the tubular member; and retracting the tubular member at least partially from the puncture, thereby retracting the introducer sheath with the tubular member at least partially from the puncture and exposing the sealant within the puncture distally beyond the introducer sheath, wherein, in the engaging step, a locking element is disposed about the tubular member, and the locking element comprises the plurality of barbs to engage with the introducer sheath, wherein the locking element is a tubular sleeve, and wherein the sleeve is freely slidable when not engaged with the introducer sheath.
 10. A method for sealing a puncture extending through tissue to a body lumen, comprising: introducing an introducer sheath into the puncture; advancing a tubular member carrying a sealant therein into a proximal end of the introducer sheath such that a plurality of outwardly projecting barbs circumferentially disposed about the tubular member are compressed radially inwardly as the barbs pass through an abutment in the introducer sheath proximal end and resiliently expand beyond the abutment, thereby engaging the expanded barbs with the abutment to couple the introducer sheath to the tubular member; withdrawing a positioning element to contact the vessel wall prior to the retracting step; and after the withdrawing step, retracting the tubular member at least partially from the puncture, thereby retracting the introducer sheath with the tubular member at least partially from the puncture and exposing the sealant within the puncture distally beyond the introducer sheath; wherein the plurality of outwardly extending barbs are on a distal tip of a tubular extension on the tubular member, and wherein the distal tip of the tubular extension and the plurality of barbs pass beyond the abutment when tubular member is advanced into the introducer sheath.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the positioning element is radially enlargeable.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the barbs comprise ramped distal surfaces that engage the abutment as the barbs enter the introducer sheath to compress the barbs radially inwardly.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the abutment comprises one or more seals within a hub on the proximal end of the introducer sheath.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of outwardly extending barbs comprise sloped distal edges coupled to the tubular extension and blunt proximal ends that are compressed radially inwardly as the barbs pass through an abutment in the introducer sheath proximal end and resiliently expand beyond the abutment, thereby engaging the expanded blunt proximal ends of the barbs with the abutment. 